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The Hickory Metro is full of color, creativity, and community pride. From handcrafted furniture to sidewalk murals, symphony nights to improv laughs—this place makes things happen. Here’s your art-filled day in Hickory!
Taste Full Beans Coffee, Tea, and Cafe – Start your day surrounded by creativity and caffeine. This locally loved café doubles as a rotating art gallery, featuring works by regional artists and poetry from one of the owners. Bonus: it’s super vegan- and gluten-free-friendly, so you’ll leave full and inspired.
Hickory Museum of Art – Located inside the SALT Block, this is North Carolina’s second-oldest art museum and a true local gem. Explore Southern folk art, rotating contemporary exhibitions, and family-friendly programs. Don’t miss the Art-o-Mat machine—yes, you can buy tiny original art from a vintage cigarette dispenser!
The Green Room Community Theatre (in Newton) and
The Hickory Community Theatre (Downtown Hickory) bring scripts to life with community talent and top-tier productions—from beloved classics to bold new shows. Check showtimes and catch an evening performance or weekend matinee.
the hum – Our outdoor music venue in downtown Hickory, perfect for warm nights and local jams.
The Premier – An indoor venue packed with live music, arcade games, and fun for the whole crew.
Western Piedmont Symphony – For something classical, powerful, and goosebump-inducing, catch a live performance from this Grammy-nominated ensemble.
Take a self-guided tour of the Hickory Metro’s colorful murals and public art. From alleyway surprises to bold building facades, our walls are a canvas of community expression.
👉 Click here for a full list of murals (and yes, your Insta feed will thank you).
FOURK – Cap off your day with dinner in a repurposed garage, complete with unconventional cocktails and a menu that’s as creative as it is craveable. It’s the perfect spot to toast a day of local discovery.
The Hickory Museum of Art began in 1944 with just a few paintings displayed in a library basement—now it houses over 1,500 works of art, including one of the largest collections of Southern folk art in the country.